Little bit o’ sunshine: bathroom redo

New framed out mirror.

Inspiration rug!

rugged elephant towel rack.

My favorite part: sweet words we found, design created by daddy Taylor. Props to him on learning Photoshop in 1 day. He loves his girl so much already.

Last week in our boredom of waiting for springtime and for little miss, I talked J into re-doing our guest bath, which will be little gal’s bathroom.  Those of you who know me well know that I am pretty much addicted to decorating – so I was thrilled when J agreed to paint the room light gray for me!  We based the design/colors on the fun sunshine yellow chevron rug, found at KOHL’S. Crazy.  J even designed a special print that captures the heart of where we are in this adoption right now – growing in love for that little girl.  Next up – the toddler room!  We are holding off decorating her room until later hopefully soon, when we get our official referral/match.  Come on India, we wanna see that sweet little face!

updates + prayers please!

Alright folks.  This week is a big one on the adoption from in India.  There is a huge meeting between child welfare (government leaders), adoption agencies, and orphanage leaders regarding the “state of adoption” there.  This meeting will review adoption policies and talk about the future of adoption there.  Would you pray with us that this meeting creates some type of movement in our case, and the cases of so many families who are waiting on their children to come home?

• pray that hearts of the officials are encouraged to create/protect policies that are in the best interest of orphans there
• pray that the officials would show favor to the families who are attempting adoption of these kids
• pray  that the officials would desire and make efforts to expedite the adoptions
• pray  that the Lord would protect the “openness” of adoption in India for US families

On updates – Jake and I have been incredibly encouraged lately.  We’ve had the opportunity lately to meet many other adopting families – some who have been through the process already and some still waiting.  It’s so encouraging to know that the Lord will redeem this time of waiting, regardless of how long it may be.

We still have no timeline or referral (match) with our girl.Last week I spoke with our adoption agency and got a somewhat “update.”  Only it turned out to not be much of an update at all, because really, there was no “new news.”  I was really bummed, discouraged, etc. to hear this – the no news seemed to add to my dread/sadness lately of having to wait. And wait. And wait.  I had a mini breakdown – where I really had to just hand it over to the Lord.  I was reminded gently by Him (and my sweet husband) that our God has the timing of it all.  That the Lord loves our girl so much more than we will ever love her – and that He has her (and our) best interest in mind.  Sometimes its just so hard to submit to His goodness and let go my “control” of His worry. I felt like over and over again last week, He kept gently reminding me of His faithfulness thus far.  Reminding me of the faithfulness and the promise of “good and not evil” towards us, and her.  Good, encouraging stuff.

 

January was long.

Anyone else feel like that? Shew. I always feel like December is a roller-coaster and January is a little, well, boring.  The summer girl in me is feelin’ this white skin, dry skin going on.  Can’t wait to be by the pool – and then I wonder, will I be by the pool, or will I be in India, lovin’ on my girl?  Day dreamin’ – there’s lots of that going on right now.  What’s been keeping me sane lately:

1) Soul Detox. I’m loving this YouVersion plan right now.  Loving journeying through with the rest of the She Reads Truth girls.  I even have my hub joining in now.  Taking captive those thoughts that don’t belong is what Soul Detox is all about.  It’s not too late to join!

2) Reading.  Since we had to read so much for the Service Plan, I’m on a roll.  Working on some Francine Rivers (Her Mother’s Hope – even though I know it won’t be as good as Redeeming Love) and about to start Power of a Praying Wife with the journey group girls.

3) Valentine’s day is coming up! Planning some surprises…are you?

4) Downtown Raleigh! I had a dream the other night that we moved suddenly and I was really upset. I love our city!  Wanting to try Calavera soon…anyone been there yet?

How are you beating the winter blues?

prepping.

Many of you have been asking, “when is she coming?”  We still don’t know.  We don’t know, we don’t know, we don’t know.  Sure wish we did! What we do know is that we are still crazy about her and praying, begging God to open up the doors for this adoption.

We finally finished our “service plan” – per our adoption agency’s requirements.  Our minds are FULL of helpful information and “what if’s” and stories of what could happen when we bring her home.  It was challenging to read and not be able to apply, but I know that day is coming.  Our service plan included a 7-book reading list with book reports for each, homework like creating our will, finding pediatricians, researching the India culture & local Indian community events, etc.  A few things we found to be very interesting and repeated throughout every book we read:

Culture: it will be so important for us to intertwine the Indian culture in her everyday life.  She will be a healthier adult and have a stronger self-concept if we make sure India stays a part of her life!   By the book suggestions:

–       eat more Indian food! And learn to cook it (something more than Trader Joes  frozen Indian meals)

–       participate in Indian events in the area

–       Have artifacts from India around our house

–       Celebrating India holidays

Attachment: Internationally adopted children naturally have a slower time attaching to their adopted parents – mostly because they are accustomed to having multiple caregivers/volunteers coming through to visit their orphanage.   Another reason they have a difficult time attaching to their parents is because they never had the chance to form an attachment with a caregiver. Many struggle with what they call “indiscriminate friendliness” which means they basically don’t know at first who is mom or dad.  Our girl may come home and think you, and you, and you are her “mommy.”  We read some fabulous books on attachment parenting that give lots of tips on how to overcome this and teach her that WE are her parents.  What a joy it will be to pursue this relationship with her and to teach her to trust us – what a picture of the gospel and God’s pursuit of us!  Some of the attachment practices they teach:

–       parents being the only ones to feed her at first (teaches trust for basic needs)

–       not leaving her isolated or crying by herself, hurrying to her cries

–       babywearing – I love this term and can’t wait for it! Ergobaby here we come!

–       no overnight stays away from her during the first period of time she’s home

–       limited childcare/babysitters at first

Honoring her birth family:  This subject was hard for me at first to read about.  After all, I want her to know that WE are her family.  The more we read, we realized that she will always have an ache in her heart, and a longing to know about her birth family.  One day, she’ll have a desire to know them.  Although this may not be possible, it will be important for us to honor that relationship.  Her mother gave her an incredible gift in getting her into an orphanage under someone’s care – her mother gave her the gift of LIFE.  I get a little teary when I think about this.   We want her to have positive thoughts about her birthfamily, and to even have conversations about this and pray thanking God that her birth parents chose to give her life.   We don’t want to hide the fact that she was adopted or that she has a birthfamily alive somewhere in India.  We pray she’ll always know and feel comfortable in talking to us about this.

Deep stuff – and I’m sure will be challenging at times.  I’m thankful for the preparation in this waiting – that we will be walking into this relationship with our daughter hopefully somewhat equipped.  But we know the equipping won’t be through the books, dvds, or research we’ve done.  There are so many things we will have to face with lots of patience and asking the Lord what’s next.  We won’t be perfect parents, but we’re praying she’ll grow up knowing without a doubt that “she’s ours,” a Taylor girl, who was loved way long before she even knew us.

We loved because He first loved us.  1 John 4:19

Oh 2012.

I am so excited for a new year!  Partly because it (hopefully) is the year I get to become a mama, something I’ve longed for since I was a little girl. I’m also all about some fresh starts – the kind Jesus always is giving out.  I love the energy and excitement brewing in a new year.

Looking back over 2012 I see so much love and care and calling and adventure, and really ultimately lots of grace.

Winter–  We started off the year in India – literally on the plane during new year’s eve celebration!  On that trip, I kept praying for God to “enlarge my vision,” and to show me what was next.  Oh boy, He did!  From that trip, I felt Him leading that I would one day, somehow play a mothering role to an orphan or two one day.  I just couldn’t shake the feeling that the precious children I met in India could be my brothers, sisters, daughters, sons.  I left with a sense of responsibility.  Little did I know that about 3 months later, ADOPTION would be come a reality in our family.  God is so good to allow us to be apart of His adventure like this.

Spring – We announced we were “paper pregnant” and were overwhelmed at our family and friend’s love and support.  We still are.  Late April (planned prior to deciding to adopt), we traveled on a vacation to Costa Rica (such a fun and beautiful place!)

Summer – We spent lots of time with family, at the beach, and then some time in India leading teams with GHI.  Had a tough summer with lots of paperwork, a car wreck, and being sick.

Fall – LOTS of adoption paperwork.  Like every night of the week there for a little while.  This was what I (and other adoption mama’s) call “paper purgatory.”  I was so happy to let go of that dossier.  During the same time, we + our fabulous family + our incredible homegroup + many other dear friends, pulled off a 2-day, 40+ family yard sale that raised right at $7000 for the adoption.  I would say this was one of the highlights of our year – being loved on and seeing others pour out so much time, energy, and funds for orphan care and for our daughter!

Winter – So here we are.  Still waiting, but very overwhelmed at God’s faithfulness in 2012.   That is pushing us to wait and see His continued faithfulness throughout 2013.  

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness!”   Lamentations 3:22-23

 

2012 highlights…

–       celebrating my mama’s 50^th bday (she doesn’t look it!)

–       seeing my nephew turn into a toddler

–       celebrating my brother-in-law’s return from Afghanistan

–       going on a cruise to the Bahamas with my dad

–       zip-lining in Costa Rica

–       mentoring 8+ interns and helping send over 30 people to India at GHI

–       seeing my bible study girls graduate high school!

–      celebrating my 27th birthday and 4th anniversary in India

–       neighborhood dinner & game nights  (we have the BEST neighbors!)

–      growing and serving alongside of our Visio Dei family

Christmas music for orphans!

It’s here! Our brother’s band, Onna, has recorded a Christmas EP of 5 songs.  It’s full of fun, melodic Christmas songs for you!  Here’s the BEST PART:  ALL proceeds of this cd go directly to a VERY special orphanage in India!  Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy new Christmas songs and bless an orphanage that greatly needs any support they receive!

Buy on iTunes  or order the cd

On purpose…

“Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you.  Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you.” Jer 1:5

I want our girl to know this and life in this confidence – that before she was formed in her mother’s womb, the Lord knew her.  Was making plans for her.  Knew that one day she’d be our daughter.

I’ve been very humbled this week as I’ve worked on over 30+ ornaments representing at least 8 different countries.

India. China. Africa. Ukraine. Korea. Costa Rica. Columbia. Russia. and so the list continues.

What started as a simple ornament exchange project for my good friend who has just started the adoption process has now become a fundraiser which has also become for me a prayer concert. (by the way, the ornament orders are over on Monday! order yours by emailing me at beccaleetaylor@gmail.com!)  I’m humbled and encouraged by the folks buying these ornaments, by the folks who are loving on orphans and praying for orphans and wanting to encourage families adopting.  Because y’all, it isn’t the easy road.  But there are so many families out there who believe the verse above – that these incredible children all over the world were born on purpose.  I can’t wait to help point our girl to the God who makes this purpose, and adventure with Him happen.

all we have.

When David was beginning to build the temple in the OT, there is this amazing prayer He prays of thankfulness for how the Lord had provided for the building of the temple.  This prayerful song has been resonating on my heart this week during this season of thankfulness – in recognizing just HOW powerful our God is, how weak I am, and how much everything I have is His – came from Him, by Him, and is FOR Him…

Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of Israel our Father, forever and ever.

Yours, O Lord is:

the greatness

the power

the glory

the victory

the majesty

riches & honor

for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours.

in your hand are power and might.

and then he goes on to recognize:

But who am I,…that we should be able to offer willingly? For ALL things come from you, and of your own have we given you.

Preaching this to myself and over our little family right now as we continued to be overwhelmed with how He’s providing for our girl to arrive, and all the while trusting His timing and power to make it all happen.

All we have is what He has given us – nothing more.  Even if we think we’ve earned it, it’s all really a gift that He has the power to give and take away.  He is so much stronger than we know. For whatever you are going through right now + whatever you will face in 5 years. Whatever the struggle, whatever the wait, whatever the victory. Power and might in His hands.

 

Early shopping?

All of this talk about the holidays coming gets me SO excited. I can’t wait to spend time with my family, see my sis who just moved out of the state, hug and play with my nephew, eat pumpkin pie, get a Christmas tree, decorate for Christmas, and make some sweet memories within these next few weeks!

Shopping early for Christmas gifts?  Check out these really cool Christmas gift ideas that go to an even cooler cause:

1) Stella & Dot Online Party for Tricia Lawrenson. Tricia is a Raleigh gal who I’ve never met, but she has found an extreme fight with a few different illnesses but is still holding onto hope that God is healer of all.  Read her story, buy something from the online party (you have until December 8th!) ALL proceeds of this party go directly towards her medical care. Come on girls, you know how cute Stella & Dot jewelry is.

2) Onna is the band that my brother-in-law, Matt is in.  They are recording an EP of Christmas songs called “Love Has Come” and donating ALL proceeds of the album to Sarah’s Covenant Home – the orphanage we are adopting from!  Be on the lookout for more info on this around the 1st week of December!

3) Christmas in India! hosted by Global Hope India will be held on November 30th this year at the downtown Raleigh Sir Walter! ALL proceeds go to child rescue projects in India!  There will hand painted ornaments, pearl earrings, and beautiful scarves straight from India for sale! Bring your family!

 

4) Sevenly t-shirts.  Love this organization.  Each week they choose a different nonprofit, design a t-shirt, sell the t-shirts, and give all proceeds to the organization selected.  Who doesn’t like funky t-shirts?

Happy shopping!

 

 

Best story ever…

The waiting phase continues.  Don’t worry folks, we’ll be here awhile (prayerfully not?!) This week we’re still waiting on our dossier to be reviewed by our agency – praying that all looks good and we don’t have to add onto the piles upon piles of paperwork that we sent.

I’ll have to admit, in this waiting stage, I feel much like an emotional + hormonal pregnant lady at times.  I’m elated when I wake up from a (God-given?) dream where I see a little dark headed babe running around in our living room, that seems oh-so real.  And then I have thoughts of fear (and honestly often doubt) that we won’t get to spend her 2^nd birthday with her…or how we’re missing out on seeing her take her first steps and speak her first words.  I won’t lie, adoption isn’t the easy road nor as dreamy as it looks.  But then, the Lord is SO good to provide glimmers of encouragement through many of you – that keep us going.  Cards with gifts in the mail like this from baby girl’s cousin Liam:

 

Things like this literally keep us going. I’m so thankful for sweet friends and family who are hoping and praying with us.

And then there’s the sweet basket of books in sitting in her room, waiting to be read – all provided by our sweet homegroup friends who brought books for our girl to her (soon to be) friend Brynna’s 2^nd bday party.  It’s all I can do to not sob everytime we get sweet gifts like this for our girl – not because of the gift itself, but because of the love that so many have for her AND THEY HAVEN’T EVEN MET HER.

 

It blows me away, but reminds me so much of the true LOVE that Jesus had for us when He went to the cross. We didn’t know Him, but He thought of us with so much love and really did LIVE the best story ever.  I wanna read that story over and over again.